Living in the Light

“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” —Ephesians 5:11

When we hear the call to expose the “fruitless deeds of darkness,” it can be tempting to think that our primary duty is to call out sin in others, in our friends, our churches, or associations that we belong to. But Scripture admonishes us to turn that lens inward first. Paul urges us in 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?”

God is not calling us to become spiritual inspectors and headmasters of other people’s lives; He is calling us to first allow His Spirit to inspect our own. Jesus didn’t say, “Go and make critics of all nations,” it is “go and make disciples of nations.” He said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). That means transformation begins in us first before it can happen through us.

The truth is, it’s easy to spot sin in someone else’s life. It’s natural to excuse or justify our own behaviour. But it is entirely supernatural, the work of the Holy Spirit, to humbly examine our own hearts and welcome God’s correction.

A critical fault-finding spirit damages; anyone can stand on the sidelines and throw accusations, but  transformation happens when we step onto the field, allow Christ to work in and on us, and live out the grace we’ve received. Jesus spoke plainly about this tendency in us to judge others while ignoring our own flaws: “How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye?” (Luke 6:42)

When we begin with humility and honesty before God, praying as the psalmist did, “Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind” (Psalm 26:2), our hearts are softened. Then, and only then, can we rightly reflect the light of Christ to the world. And that light is not harsh, judgemental or condemning. Rather, it shines from a heart of compassion, mercy, and grace—the very character of Jesus.

Jesus tells us, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). A life surrendered to Christ radiates love, not condemnation. It encourages, rather than tear down. It builds bridges, not walls.

The prophet Isaiah gives us a sobering truth: “Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I—if you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk” (Isaiah 58:9). There’s that small, powerful word: if. Our willingness to let go of criticism, blame, and bitterness directly impacts the nearness we experience with God. Holiness is not just separation from sin, but also separation unto God—and that includes the posture of our hearts toward others.

Jesus makes it even more clear: “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters” (Luke 11:23). There is no middle ground. We are either joining Him in His mission of grace and truth, or we are working against it with our words, attitudes, and actions.

So how do we live in the light? By walking with the Spirit, and the fruit of that walk is unmistakable: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When we fix our hearts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable (Philippians 4:8), our lives become reflections of God’s kingdom.

We are called to be Christ-like witnesses. Our words and actions must come from a life deeply shaped by grace—humble, gentle, and patient, “bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).

Conclusion:

To live in the light is to become a lamp that illuminates Christ’s presence and points people to Him. It begins not with a loud rebuke of others, but with a quiet surrender of our own hearts to God’s refining fire. Only then can we expose darkness; not with condemnation, but with the healing light of truth presented in love.

Let us cry out, not to point accusing fingers, not to judge but to open our hands to heaven and ask: “Search me, O God, and know my heart… lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). It is then, our lives will shine with the kind of light that leads others to praise our Father in heaven.

God bless you,

Pastor Oluranti Orioke